might not buy a digital camera after all

[xm310x]

hey guys,
i've been researching for about 2 weeks trying to find the perfect camera for me. i came very close to buying the canon powershot sd550 but i don't like it's color. it's champagne but it looks almost like a light pink. i'm just so confused on which camera to buy, there's so many options out there that it's driving me crazy. this will be my first digital camera and i really want a 5+ megapixel, compact camera, and it can't be more than $450. i just started getting into photography, so even though i want a compact camera, i want one that will allow me to do some manual stuff, like shutter speed, white balance, macro, ect. i don't care much about zoom, i guess atleast 3x optical zoom and the image quality is VERY important to me. i'll be using this camera for everything. taking pictures of people, landscapes, flowers, and action. i will be taking pictures outdoors but as well as indoors, so i wan't a camera that can take good pictures inside. this is my last attempt on finding the right camera for me, i'm just so sick of doing lots of research and i haven't come to a conclusion and it's been 2 weeks. please, help! :eek:

[JTL]

hey guys,
i've been researching for about 2 weeks trying to find the perfect camera for me. i came very close to buying the canon powershot sd550 but i don't like it's color. it's champagne but it looks almost like a light pink. i'm just so confused on which camera to buy, there's so many options out there that it's driving me crazy. this will be my first digital camera and i really want a 5+ megapixel, compact camera, and it can't be more than $450. i just started getting into photography, so even though i want a compact camera, i want one that will allow me to do some manual stuff, like shutter speed, white balance, macro, ect. i don't care much about zoom, i guess atleast 3x optical zoom and the image quality is VERY important to me. i'll be using this camera for everything. taking pictures of people, landscapes, flowers, and action. i will be taking pictures outdoors but as well as indoors, so i wan't a camera that can take good pictures inside. this is my last attempt on finding the right camera for me, i'm just so sick of doing lots of research and i haven't come to a conclusion and it's been 2 weeks. please, help! :eek:Fuji F11...or hold off until PMA and wait for the Fuji F30 (or whatever they're going to call it).

Also, IMHO, not buying an SD550 because of it's "color" is just plain silly. But, execpt for the LCD, the SD500 is the same camera...and it's a lovely silver-tone...just lovely...:D

[xm310x]

so the really big difference between these two cameras is just the LCD and the color? does the sd500 have plenty of manual controls to play with? such as shutter speed, white balance, and macro?

[coldrain]

Macro has nothing to do with manual functions.... No, you can not determine the shutter speed on it. If you want a compact manual camera, look at the Sony P150/200 and the Casio EX-Z750. Both have good image quality.

[JTL]

so the really big difference between these two cameras is just the LCD and the color? does the sd500 have plenty of manual controls to play with? such as shutter speed, white balance, and macro?No, the SD500 doesn't really offer a lot of manual control...it has a great macro mode, selectable white balance, and control of the shutter speed, but only in one direction...slower...you can't force fast shutter speeds except through one of the "scene" modes (Kids & Pets). It does have manual exposure compensation, though...so you can trick it into doing most of what you want. But, because it doesn't give you direct control over the aperture and shutter...it's still bascially an auto P&S camera. A great auto P&S, but one none the less. I carry one everywhere and get great results.

Here are the the new things added to the SD550 over the SD500 from Jeff's review...

Larger LCD display (2.5" versus 2.0")
Lower battery life (150 versus 160 shots per charge)
Body color is "champagne" instead of silver
Minor changes to controls on back of camera
New 3 x 3 grid overlay on LCD for photo composition
Fancy new tricks in playback mode

The SD500 review is here: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sd500-review/

In my opinion, the Fuji F10 is it's only real competiton and has the advantage of great low-light shooting capability. The Fuji F11 is just like the F10, but with more manual controls. It is not offically for sale in the States, but can be bought gray market. Europre and Asia, no problem. The replacement (F30?) will be offered worldwide and is expected in the Spring/Summer...

Fuji F10 review here: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f10-review/

The Sony P150/P200 is a good choice...a decent amount of manual control (but not full). The image quality is good, but I personally don't care for the Sony image "look".

[xm310x]

Thank you so much JTL for your input. I actually found the Canon Powershot SD500 for $379.99 at a Wholesale Club and I think I might be purchasing it tomorrow. I hope it will be a good choice for my first digital camera. :)

[JTL]

Thank you so much JTL for your input. I actually found the Canon Powershot SD500 for $379.99 at a Wholesale Club and I think I might be purchasing it tomorrow. I hope it will be a good choice for my first digital camera. :)Good luck...you really can't go wrong with it...just as long as you realize that it's not the best low-light/no flash camera out there, but a great camera in an all-around sense. Happy shooting! :)

[ktixx]

How about the Canon s2? Nice features and plenty of features..and it is a pretty shade of silver ;) :). All this for under $450 from B&H Photo. If you already purchased the SD500 I am sure you will be satisfied, but if not take a look at the S2.
Ken

[xm310x]

i'm looking for a compact camera. i still haven't bought the sd500, any open to any other suggestions. i'm still thinking if it's worth spending that much money or if i should buy a cheaper one, still undecided.

[David Metsky]

If you can live without the 7.1 MP you can try the SD400 or SD300. Nearly identical cameras and you can save quite a bit of money.

-dave-

[Rhys]

i'm looking for a compact camera. i still haven't bought the sd500, any open to any other suggestions. i'm still thinking if it's worth spending that much money or if i should buy a cheaper one, still undecided.


How about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S90? Seems to suit your needs. It takes AA batteries with control of aperture and shutter speed available. Seems to be pretty good to me and the price... Around $200.

It is silver but then I haven't seen many non silver compacts. Silver's the new black!

[JTL]

Don't forget...with the SD500, it's not just the 7.1MP...it's the greatly improved/vastly superior 1/1.8 sensor (which rivals the G6 in resulting image quality). And, a much better performing flash than the other camera in the SD line...I know first-hand because I've tested them all! :)

[tarreiwa]

Dell has the SD500 priced today (1/10) for $339. It was priced earlier this week for $319.20. I bought the SD550 for $335 this week (listed at $360 w/ $25 off coupon). Shipping was $8. Also, don't hesitate to call them and try to get a better price. I have had luck in the past with them. They change their prices all the time - so act fast.

[xm310x]

wow, i never knew you could buy non-dell products at the dell website and they are so much cheaper! thanks a lot! i'm definitely going to purchase my digital camera through them! They have the SD500 for $339.15!

[xm310x]

what do you guys think about these cameras?

1. Sony DSC-P200
2. Fujifilm F10
3. Canon Powershot SD500

These cameras are the ones are thinking about purchasing but I'm just very confused which one to get. I can basically get them at about the same price, so the price is not an issue. I heard the Fujifilm is really good at taking indoor pictures with low-lighting. Any suggestions which one from these 3 is the best?

[xm310x]

any suggestions guys?

[JTL]

Well...you've made it really hard because those are all really good cameras! Each has strengths and weaknesses...and you pretty much know those already...so you have decide what features are important to you. Also, I would suggest that if you have a store or stores near by that carry these models (shouldn't be too hard since they're all popular) that you try them out for yourself. What seems great on paper may not feel right in your hand. After you've tried them out in person, shop online for the best price...:)

[xm310x]

i know! that's what its so difficult for me to pick one... i'm really leaning towards the sd500 but then i look at the others and i get confused. good suggestions to go and take a look at them at the stores and about the pros and cons. thanks!

[coldrain]

SD500: most compact, very good image quality, great panorama mode, limitted manual controls. SD cards. Best software bundle
P200: in between, very good image quality and best in the flash-red-eye area, full manual controls. Sony Memory sticks.
F10: biggest of the 3, good image quality, best in lower light conditions without flash, lacking manual controls. XD cards.

[Craig9190]

A w e s o m e !

[tarreiwa]

Dell has the SD500 today for $319.20. If you are going to buy it act fast - they always change their prices!
Good luck

[Craig9190]

A w e s o m e !

[xm310x]

hey guys,
i'm 95% sure i'm going to buy the canon powershot sd500, i'm just trying to see if i'm going to use manual controls or not. can someone briefly explain what some of the manual controls are and what they are used for? and if they are important to have for a beginner camera. the only thing holding me back from buying the sd500 right now, is just the lack of manual controls. i'm a bit interested in photography, so i don't know if they will be important or not. thanks!

[coldrain]

hey guys,
i'm 95% sure i'm going to buy the canon powershot sd500, i'm just trying to see if i'm going to use manual controls or not. can someone briefly explain what some of the manual controls are and what they are used for? and if they are important to have for a beginner camera. the only thing holding me back from buying the sd500 right now, is just the lack of manual controls. i'm a bit interested in photography, so i don't know if they will be important or not. thanks!
Manual controls.

Aperture: the opening of the lens determines how deep a part of the photo looks in focus. A big aperture (small number) will have a smaller depth of filed than a small aperture (bigger number). Not really needed with a compact digital. On a DSLR the differences possible are much larger, and then manual aperture gets to be interesting.

Shutter speed: A fast shutter speed will freeze motion, a slow shutter speed will show motion blur. To get the wanted effect, manual shutter speed can be handy. By switching to the right auto mode, you can still get desired effects.

ISO setting: you can switch the ISO setting. A larger ISO number will allow shorter shutter speeds, but also will degrade image quality with noise. You can choose ISO on the SD500.

White balance: A digital camera does not adapt when light colour changes like the human eye does. That is why you have to change the white balance (tell the camera what is white) to not get strangely discoloured pictures. The SD500 lets you set the whitebalance, either with presets or with a custom WB function.

Manual focus: The SD500 does not offer manual focus. This is not a big miss though, since determining correct focus on an LCD display is rather difficult. You can tell the camera what to focus on by pointing at what needs to be in focus, and then re-composing holding the shutter button halfways. So, not really a big miss.

[xm310x]

Hey guys!
I have finally ordered the Canon Powershot SD500, it seems to be the best choice for me. I ordered it from Dell Home for $288.94! Tell me that's not a good deal!? Thanks for all your help! I hope I am very happy with this camera :)

[JTL]

Hey guys!
I have finally ordered the Canon Powershot SD500, it seems to be the best choice for me. I ordered it from Dell Home for $288.94! Tell me that's not a good deal!? Thanks for all your help! I hope I am very happy with this camera :)Since I paid $499. for mine last March, I'd say that's a good deal! :D :mad: